Multiple rotatably settable member setting means



Jan. 3, 1961 T. R. ECKLEY 2,966,843

MULTIPLE ROTATABLY SETTABLE, MEMBER SETTING MEANS Filed Feb. 16, 1960INVEN'E'OF? THOMkS R. EGKLEY HES ATTGRNEYS;

Unite States Patent G MULTIPLE ROTATABLY SETTABLE MEMBER SETTING MEANSThomas R. Eckley, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The National Cash RegisterCompany, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Filed Feb. 16, 1960,Ser. No. 8,963

6 Claims. (Cl. 101110) The present invention relates to setting meansfor multiple rotatably settable members and, more specifical- 1y, todevices of this type in which each settable member may be selected andset by a single operating element.

In a variety of applications, it is necessary that rotatably settablemembers be pre-set to specific positions for the purpose of effecting adesired result at some future time. For example, it may be desired toset type wheels with certain ones of the type wheels in printingposition; also, with certain machinery employed in the manufacture of avariety of elements, it is frequently desirable to auto matically stopthe machine when the desired number of pieces have been completed. Thismay be done by pre-setting a mechanical counter and reducing the presetcount by one as each piece is finished and closing -a stop circuit asthe counter reaches zero.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide an improvedsetting mechanism.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved devicehaving a plurality of rotatably settable members each of which may beselected and set by rotating a single operating element in a select andset direction, respectively.

In accordance with this invention, a multiple rotatably settable memberindicating or printing device is provided wherein a plurality ofrotatably settable members are independently mounted upon a rotatablehollow sleeve member. Within the sleeve member are contained a drivingmember, rotatable with the sleeve member, for each settable member, anda rotatable selector member having a cam lobe for each settable member.The selector member is mechanically interconnected with the sleevemember by a unidirectional engaging link assembly arranged to providerotation of the sleeve member with the selector member in the setdirection only. Each driving member may be placed in drivingrelationship with its corresponding settable member when engaged by itsrespective cam lobe when the selector member is rotated in the selectdirection and may drive the selected settable member with the sleevemember as the selector member is rotated oppositely in the setdirection.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together withfurther objects, advantages, and features thereof, reference is made tothe following description and to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is an exploded perspective view of the device of thisinvention,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross section view taken along line A--A ofFigure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, and

Figure 3 is a partial end view of Figure 1 with the operating knobremoved.

Without intention or inference of a limitation thereto, the operation ofthe device of this invention will be described relative to thepre-setting of the indicating wheels of a mechanical counter. It is tobe specifically ice understood, however, that the principles hereinoutlined may also be employed with other similar devices, of which printand date wheels are two examples.

Referring to the drawing, in which like elements have been given likecharacters of reference in the several views, Figure l is an explodedperspective view of the device of this invention.

Rotatably mounted upon frame member 10, herein illustrated as a U-memberof strap material but which may be of any convenient form or material,which supports the assembly, is a hollow sleeve member 11, having alongitudinal slot 12, which extends nearly the entire length thereof.Rigidly secured to one end of hollow sleeve member 11 is a circularflange 13, the specific purpose of which will be brought out later. Theopposite end of sleeve member 11 extends through aperture 14 of framemember 10, terminating within a similar aperture 15 on the opposite endof frame it Respective ends of sleeve 11, therefore, may be rotatedrelative to frame member it) upon bearing surface 16 of aperture 14 andthe similar bearing surface, not shown, of aperture 15.

Independently mounted upon and supported by sleeve member 11 are aplurality of rotatably settable members, herein indicated by referencecharacters 17 through 25, inclusive. For purposes of illustration only,these rotatably settable members have been indicated as nine circulardiscs. It is to be specifically understood, however, that more or fewermembers of a circular or other suitable cross section may be usedwithout departing from the spirit of theinvention. Concentric with thecenter of each rotatably settable member is a bearing surface, typicallyindicated with member 17 by reference numeral 27, to provide for the.rotatable mounting of the settable members upon sleeve member 11. Thebearing surface of each settable member is provided with a plurality ofdriving detents, typically illustrated at reference character 23, thespecific purpose of which will be brought out later.

Located within and rotatable with sleeve member 11 is a driving member,typically illustrated at 29, for each settable member. Although anysuitable form may be employed, the driving members are herein indicatedas the teeth of a special comb-type spring, which are curved to fitwithin sleeve 11 and rigidly secured thereto along line 3t), with theirfree ends terminating adjacent to longitudinal slot 12 but normally outof engaging relation with the driving detents of the settable members.With .this arrangement, each driving member may be placed in drivingengagement with the driving detent in the bearing surface of thecorresponding settable memher by forcing the free end throughlongitudinal slot 12 of sleeve member 11 in a manner to be describedlater.

Also rotatably mounted within sleeve member 11 is a selector member 31,having a cam lobe, reference characters 33 to 41, inclusive, for eachsettable member. It may be noted that each driving member 29 has a camsurface, typically shown at 42, which is engaged by the lobes 33 to 41,inclusive. The lobes 33 to 41, inclusive, are arranged in a spiralpattern about selector member 31, so that the cam surface of eachdriving member is located over the high portion of its respective lobeonly in one position of the selector member 31 and at a differentangular position from every other. Accordingly, whenever the cam surfaceof any driving member is located over the high portion of its respectivecam lobe, that driving member is placed in driving engagement with adriving detent in the bearing surface of the corresponding settablemember through slot 12, as illustrated in Figure 2. With thisarrangement, therefore, each of the several cam lobes of selector member31 places the driving member corresponding to the samesettable member indriving engagement with a driving detent in the bearing surface of thatmember. Selector member 31 may be operated to effect selection bymanually turning knob 46 in the select direction.

Mechanically interconnecting sleeve member 11. and selector member 31 isa unidirectional engaging link assembly consisting of a pawl element 43,rigidly secured to flange 13 at 44, and a ratchet wheel 45, secured toselector member 31. Ratchet 45 has a position for each settable member,in this instance nine. As the main feature of this invention is theprovision of a select-set feature by a single operating element, theunidirectional engaging link assembly is arranged to permit selectormember 31 to rotate independently of sleeve member 11 in the selectdirection, herein shown to be counter-clockwise, for selecting one ofthe settable members, but to become engaged and rotate the sleeve member11 with the selector member 31 in the set direction, herein shown to beclockwise, for setting the chosen settable member to a selected setposition.

In operation, selector member 31 is rotated in the select, orcounter-clockwise, direction by knob 46 to select the settable member tobe set. As pawl 43 is arranged to be disengaged during revolution inthis direction, merely passing from tooth to tooth in ratchet wheel 45,selector member 31 revolves independently. When pointer 47 of knob 46 isopposite the index number on flange 13 of the settable member to beselected, the cam lobe on selector member 31 corresponding to thatsettable member has placed the respective driving member in drivingengagement with a driving detent in the bearing surface thereof throughslot 12 of sleeve 11. Of course, because of the spiral arrangement ofthe cam lobes on selector member 31, no other driving member is now indriving engagement. By now rotating selector member 31 in the set, orclockwise, direction, pawl 43 engages a tooth in ratchet wheel 45. Aspawl 43 is rigidly secured to flange 13, and flange 13 is rigidlysecured to sleeve 11, sleeve 11 is rotated with selector member 31 inthis direction. The driving members 29 are also rotated along the sleeve11, as they are secured thereto at line 30; however, only the drivingmember in driving engagement with its corresponding settable membercauses that member to also revolve with sleeve 11 and selector member31. As the selected settable member is set to the desired position,selector member 31 may be independently rotated in the select, orcounter-clockwise, direction until the next settable member to be set ispicked up. At this time, the revolution of selector member 31 along withthe sleeve member 11, the driving member 29, and the selected settablemember may be eifected in the set direction.

It may be noted that the section 58 of selector member 31 has no camlobe. With the pointer 47 of operating knob 46 at the zero position,none of the cam surfaces 42 are located over the high portion of theirrespective cam lobes of selector member 31. In this position, therefore,all of the settable members may be revolved about sleeve member 11 byexternal driving devices, not shown. This arrangement is, of course,mandatory with mechanical counters in which the count wheels are drivenby an external motivating source.

As each settable member is rotatably mounted upon sleeve 11, a locatingdetent arrangement for each member may be required for the purpose ofpreventing unselected members from revolving with the sleeve member 11in the set direction. For this purpose, a retaining detent, typicallyillustrated at 48, is provided for each position of each member.Engaging these retaining detents are the respective teeth, typicallyillustrated at 49, of a comb spring shown partially at 50, Figure 1,held in place by positioning bar 51.

Frame member may be provided with a cover 52, having a Window 53,through which the positions of the settable members may be visuallyascertained.

In the event a selected settable member is not properly set during therevolution of selector member 31 in the set direction, the slot 12 insleeve member 11 and, hence, the driving member 29 may be aligned withthe respective bearing surface of the several settable members, ratherthan with the driving detents therein. Should the selector members 31 berevolved in the select direction at this time, the cam lobes thereonwould engage the respective driving members and would tend to raise themthrough slot 12 of sleeve 11 against the respective bearing surfaces.This, of course, would result in severe damage to the unit. As a safetyfeature, a plate 54, having a detent position, typically illustrated at55, for each cam lobe, may be attached to frame 10. An auxiliary pawl56, rigidly secured to pawl 43, passes through aperture 57 of flange 13and engages the detents 55 in the plate 54 which are indexed relative tothe several drive detent positions. Should selector member 31 be stoppedat a position out of index as it is revolved in the select direction,pawl 43 would be prevented from stepping to the next tooth of ratchetwheel 45, as auxiliary pawl 56 would be between the detents 55 of plate54. Sleeve 11, therefore, would be revolved in the select" directionwith selector member 31 under these conditions until auxiliary pawl 56reaches a detent 55 on plate 54. In this position, the slot 12 in thesleeve 11 is properly indexed relative to the drive detents 28, and pawl43 is free to step from tooth to tooth of ratchet wheel 45 as auxiliarypawl 56 moves into one of the detents 55.

Although the device of this invention has been herein illustrated ashaving nine settable members, it is to be specifically understood thatmore or fewer members may be used, with, of course, correspondingly moreor fewer drive members, cam lobes, and drive detents per member.

While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and substitutions may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention, which is to be limited only within the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. The setting means for multiple rotatably settable members of the typein which each settable member may be independently chosen and revolvedto a selected one of a plurality of set positions by a single operatingelement comprising a frame member for supporting the assembly; alongitudinally slotted hollow sleeve member rotatably mounted upon saidframe member; a plurality of rotatably selectable members each having abearing surface concentric with the center thereof independently mountedupon and held in location by said sleeve member; a plurality of drivingdetents in the bearing surface of each of said selectable members; adriving member for each of said selectable members located within androtatable with said sleeve member arranged to be placed in drivingengagement with any one of the said driving detents of the correspondingselectable member through the said longitudinal slot of said sleevemember whereby only the engaged selectable member may be rotated withthe said sleeve member; a selector member rotatably mounted within saidsleeve member and having a cam lobe thereon for each of said selectablemembers, said cam lobes being arranged in such a manner that each placesthe said driving member corresponding to the same selectable member indriving engagement with a said driving detent of that member at adifferent angular position of said selector member as it is rotated inthe select direction; and a unidirectional engaging link assemblymechanically interconnecting said sleeve member and said. selectormember in such a manner that said selector member rotates independentlyof the said sleeve member in the select direction for selecting one ofsaid settable members and rotates said sleeve member therewith in theopposite set direction for setting the chosen settable member to aselected position.

2. The setting means for multiple rotatably settable members of the typein which each settable member may be independently chosen and revolvedto a selected one of a plurality of set positions by a single operatingelement comprising a frame member for supporting the assembly; alongitudinally slotted hollow sleeve member rotatably mounted upon saidframe member; a plurality of rotatably selectable members each having abearing surface concentric with the center thereof independently mountedupon and held in location by said sleeve member; a plurality of drivingdetents in the bearing surface of each of said selectable members; adriving member for each of said selectable members located within androtatable with said sleeve member arranged to be placed in drivingengagement with any one of the said driving detents of the correspondingselectable member through the said longitudinal slot of said sleevemember whereby only the engaged selectable member may be rotated withthe said sleeve member; a selector member rotatably mounted within saidsleeve member and having a cam lobe thereon for each of said selectablemembers, said cam lobes being arranged in such a manner that each placesthe said driving member corresponding to the same selectable member indriving engagement with a said driving detent of that member at adifferent angular position of said selector member as it is rotated inthe select direction; and a means for interconnecting said sleeve memberand said selector member in such a manner that said selector memberrotates independently of the said sleeve member in the select directionfor selecting one of said settable members and rotates said sleevemember therewith in the opposite set direction for setting the chosensettable member to a selected position.

3. The setting means for multiple rotatably settable members of the typeinwhich each settable member may be independently chosen and revolved toa selected one of a plurality of set positions by a single operatingelement comprising a frame member for supporting the assembly; alongitudinally slotted hollow sleeve member rotatably mounted upon saidframe member; a plurality of rotatably selectable members independentlymounted upon and held in location by said sleeve member; a drivingmember for each of said selectable members located Within and rotatablewith said sleeve member arranged to be placed in driving engagement withthe corresponding selectable member through the said longitudinal slotof said sleeve member whereby only the engaged selectable member may berotated with the said sleeve member; a selector member rotatably mountedwithin said sleeve member and having a cam lobe thereon for each of saidselectable members, said cam lobes being arranged in such a manner thateach places the said driving member corresponding to the same selectablemember in driving engagement therewith at a different angular positionof said selector member as it is rotated in the select direction; and aunidirectional engaging link assembly mechanically interconnecting saidsleeve member and said selector member in such a manner that saidselector member rotates independently of the said sleeve member in theselect direction for selecting one of said settable members and rotatessaid sleeve member therewith in the opposite set direction for settingthe chosen settable member to a selected position.

4. The setting means for multiple rotatably settable members of the typein which each settable member may be independently chosen and revolvedto a selected one of a plurality of set positions by a single operatingelement comprising a frame member for supporting the assembly; alongitudinally slotted hollow sleeve member rotatably mounted upon saidframe member; a plurality of rotatably selectable members independentlymounted upon and held in location by said sleeve member; a drivingmember for each of said selectable members located within and rotatablewith said sleeve member arranged to be placed in driving engagement withthe corresponding selectable member through the said longitudinal slotof said sleeve member; a selector member rotatably mounted within saidsleeve member and having a cam lobe thereon for each of said selectablemembers, said cam lobes being arranged in such a manner that each placesthe said driving member corresponding to the same selectable member indriving engagement therewith at a different angular position of saidselector member as it is rotated in the select direction; and aunidirectional engaging link assembly mechanically interconnecting saidsleeve member and said selector member in such a manner that saidselector member rotates independently of the said sleeve member in theselect direction for selecting one of said settable members and rotatessaid sleeve member therewith in the opposite set direction for settingthe chosen settable member to a selected position.

5. In a device including a plurality of independently rotatably settablemembers, the selecting and setting means therefor comprising a rotatablehollow sleeve member for locating and supporting said settable members,a driving member corresponding to each of said settable members mountedwithin and rotatable with said sleeve member, a selector memberrotatably mounted within said sleeve member and arranged to individuallyplace each of said driving members in driving engagement with itsrespective settable member at a different angular position thereofduring a single revolution in one direction, and means forinterconnecting said sleeve membar and said selector member in such amanner that said selector member may be revolved independently of saidsleeve member in the select direction for selecting a settable memberand rotates said sleeve member therewith in the opposite set directionfor setting the chosen settable member to a selected position.

6. In a device including a plurality of independently rotatably settablemembers, the selecting and setting means therefor comprising alongitudinally slotted rotatable hollow sleeve member for locating andsupporting said settable members, a driving member corresponding to eachof said settable members mounted within and rotatable with said sleevemember, a selector member rotatably mounted within said sleeve memberand arranged to individually place each of said driving members indriving engagement with its respective settable member through thelongitudinal slot of said sleeve member at a different angular positionthereof during a single revolution in one direction, and means forinterconnecting said sleeve member and said selector member in such amanner that said selector member may be revolved independently of saidsleeve member in the select direction for selecting a settable memberand rotates said sleeve member therewith in the opposite set directionfor setting the chosen settable member to a selected position.

No references cited.

